The Spookiest and Most Festive US Towns to Visit During Halloween

Halloween is almost here and if you're looking to have some festive fun, these towns are sure to do the trick. From New Orleans to Salem, we’ve created this guide with some of the most haunted places in the United States. A few of the places listed are ghost towns, which are towns that have been abandoned as a result of natural disasters, disease, war, or urban growth. Most American ghost towns were mining camps in the Old West. Ghost tours often take place in these locations and are designed to scare people by telling them stories about ghosts who used to live there. If you’re eager to get in the Halloween spirit and want to make a trip somewhere to enjoy the season, you’ve come to the right place!

Best Halloween Destinations

Salem, Massachusetts

If you're looking for a town that's both home to one of the most famous witch trials in history and a slew of haunted houses, look no further than Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is known as "The Witch City" thanks to its role in the 1692 Salem witch trials, when 19 people were executed for witchcraft by order of local magistrate John Hathorne.

Salem is still haunted by its past today: there are several tours available through local businesses that allow you to walk around town and learn more about its history — and if those aren't spooky enough thrills for you, there are plenty of haunted houses too! The Witch House Museum itself is worth checking out; it's located on the site where some of those accused witches lived prior to their deaths at Gallows Hill. You can also visit nearby attractions like the Witch Dungeon Museum or take part in other Halloween events like parades or costume contests.

Anoka, Minnesota

The town of Anoka, Minnesota, is known as the "Halloween Capital of the World." The Chamber of Commerce came together with local high school students to create a haunted house that was so popular they decided to expand it into an annual festival! It’s believed that this was the first city in the country to hold Halloween festivities in order to deter kids from pulling pranks.

In addition to the spooky festival, Anoka is also home to some very historical landmarks. There’s an original log cabin from 1848 and a meadow that was once part of a large farm owned by Henry Hastings Sibley which helped settle Minnesota after the Civil War.

Sleepy Hollow, New York

Sleepy Hollow is a village in Westchester County, New York. It's known for its historic sites and beautiful location on the Hudson River. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery holds the burial site of Washington Irving, who wrote the infamous short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

If you're looking for a spooky place to spend Halloween night, Sleepy Hollow has plenty of options. You can visit this cemetery during the day or night, just be sure not to disturb any ghosts or other spirits! You can also go ghost hunting in one of their haunted houses or museums during Halloween season. Another bonus of visiting Sleepy Hollow around Halloween is that the region’s foliage lights up in gorgeous warm tones that will undoubtedly put you in the fall spirit!

Tombstone, Arizona

Not only is Tombstone one of the best places to go for Halloween in the United States (if not the world), but it's also where you can find some truly spooky stories — and that's no exaggeration. You might not even believe how many haunted tales are associated with this historic town!

Tombstone was established in 1877 after silver was discovered nearby, which brought miners and settlers into an area previously inhabited by Native Americans. The community grew rapidly as more people came looking for their fortune. By 1879, when Arizona became a state and Tombstone was named its first county seat, it had become a thriving mining town. However, this prosperity would be short-lived due to several factors such as drought conditions and an economic depression during the 1880s; by 1890 all major mining had ceased in Tombstone because there wasn't enough water left underground for operations anymore. Despite these setbacks, people continued living here until well into modern times—and who knows how many spirits still haunt these streets today?

It’s not a visit to Tombstone during Halloween without experiencing a ghost tour that brings you through the Boot Hill Cemetery as well as a visit to the O.K. Corral, which is where the most famous Wild West shootout that’s commonly portrayed in TV and movies happened to occur.

St. Helens, Oregon

St. Helens is one of the most iconic places you can visit during the season of Halloween. The family-friendly movie known as Halloweentown was filmed in St. Helens, and every year the town celebrates with its Spirit of Halloweentown festivities from mid-September all the way until October 31^st. You can’t miss out on a visit to the courthouse plaza to see the big pumpkin!

If you're looking for more frightful fun during your stay at this spooky little town, you'll find plenty of haunted houses and haunted hayrides to choose from. Some local restaurants even offer special menus for Halloween season! You’re in for a world of fun and spooks when you visit St. Helens during Halloween, and it’s definitely one of the better destinations if you’re traveling with kids!

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a city with a rich history and culture. It’s also home to some of the best food and music in America, making it ideal for a weekend trip during the Halloween season. New Orleans is known for its numerous haunted locations, including the world-famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar & Refuge. The Bourbon Street area has plenty of options for dining out on Halloween night before embarking on one of the many ghost tours offered in the area. There are also bar crawls, parades, and costume contests throughout the city for all to enjoy!

Sparking the Halloween Spirit

We hope that you have found this article useful and that it has helped you gain some inspiration about where you should visit to enjoy the Halloween season to its fullest! From small towns with frightening ghost tours through historical cemeteries to family-friendly parades in busier cities, we hope you have a safe and happy Halloween!